Californian Senator Stands Up for Salmon

US - The Californian Senate has introduced a legislative package seeking to help restore Californias salmon populations.

Senator Patricia Wiggins, Democrat from Santa Rosa announced that one of her three proposals would direct the state Ocean Protection Council to prepare a report ranking solutions to reverse the decline of salmon and steelhead, reports PressDemocrat. According to the news organisation, the report would list the costs for implementing those actions.

A second proposed law would prohibit suction dredge mining in salmon rivers and streams until the state Department of Fish and Game completes a court-ordered overhaul of regulations governing the controversial recreational activity by those searching for gold.

The third proposal would require the state fish and game department to provide an accounting of funds generated from commercial salmon fishing permits, known as “salmon stamps.” The funds are to be spent on fisheries and habitat restoration. With agreement from fishermen, the price of the salmon stamps could increase in order to hasten restoration efforts.